Self-service system for storage and utilization of fuel gases



Feb. 2, 1943. K. w. um; 2,309,869

SELF-SERVICE SYSTEM FOR STORAGE AND UTILIZATION OF FUEL GASES Filed Nov. 1, 1939 FIG. 4

33 l, 1 E I %--3o 32 3 -35 W g TNVENTOR KENNETH w. RUGH Patented Feb. 2, 1943 SELF-SERVICE SYSTEM FOR STORAGE AND UTILIZATION OF FUEL GASES Kenneth W. Rugh, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application November 1, 1939, Serial No. 302,455

' 2 Claims. (01. 221-735)] This invention relates to the storage and utilizatlon of fuel gases.

More particularly, it relates to a dispensing system for fiuids stored under pressure and is especially adapted for use with liquefied fuel gases.

At the present time, liquefied fuel gases, such.

the connections necessary to put them in service.

The empty containers were returned by the dealer to a bulk station for refilling.

Recently, a system of self-service has been introduced into the retail'trade. Under this system, the customer buys the liquefied gas in small containers from a local dealer, transports the containers to the place where they are to be put into service, makes the necessary connections, and returns th containers, when empty, to the dealer. It is essential that equipment for self-service be of a nature such that it may be easily and safely handled by persons unskilled in mechanics. Containers for self-service have been provided that may be easily handled and conveniently transported. The applicant has devised a means for connecting the containers to the customers service line that may be easily and safely operated by the customer.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a self-service system for storage and utilization of fuel gases.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-service system that will be safe, and easy of operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a connection that may be hand-operated by one unskilled in mechanics, for example, the housewife.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valved connection for containers which will readily permit the withdrawal of the container contents.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, in which:

Figure 1 isan elevation view of a container mounted for use.

1 Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectionalv1ew.of one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a modification of this invention.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional-view of a plug which may be employed with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1' of the drawing, th numeral 5 designates a cylinder or container for storing and transporting high pressure or liquefled gases. Container 5 maybe mounted on a wall or other supporting surface 8 by a suitable support bracket 1. It is to be understood that one or more containers may be mounted in this manner, the number depending upon the consumers requirements.

A service line to the consumers appliances is shown at 8 and is coupled by a suit-able connection-9 to a flexible tube or hose l0. Flexible tube i is of suflicient length to extend to any of the containers employed and is connected at its free end with a pressure regulator ll of known type to which is attached a connector l2 designed to cooperate with a coupling member IS oncontainer to effect withdrawal of gas from the container. A cap ll of sheet metal or other suitable construction forms a housing for the regulator and connector and serves to protect them from the weather. Cap [4 has an opening at its top through which flexible tube I0 passes and which is of sufficient size to allow freedom of movement of the cap along the flexible tube so that access may be had to regulator II and connector l3.

Referring to Figure 2, a portion of the high pressure or liquefied gas container is designated by numeral l5. An annular ring l6 having a shoulder I1 is attached to the container at It by brazing or weldingl Annular ring it is drilled on two diameters and tapped on the larger diameter to receive an externally threaded valve body member l9. Body member I9 is drilled and tapped to contain a valve 20 of the tire valve core type. A gasket 2| of rubber or other suitable material provides a gastight seal between annu-' lar ring l8 and valve body member l9. It is thus apparent that annular ring I6, valve body member l8, and valve 20 make up a tap member providing an effective seal to prevent egress of fluid from the container.

, An annular flange or shoulder 22 on the valve body member l9 cooperates with an internally flanged portion 23 of coupling member l3 and allows rotation of the coupling member relative to annular ring I6. The coupling member is internally screw threaded ,as at 24 to engage external screw threads on connector I! and has laterally. extending wings 25 for ease of operation.

Connector I2 is externally threaded at each end and internally tapered at its lower'end to engage a washer 21 which is mounted on the shoulder 22 of body member l9. Within the lower portion of connector I2 is a restriction 28 in which are formed a plurality of passages such as 23'. A hexagonal shoulder}! serves as a wrench hold for'inserting the connector into regulator ll. 7

Figure 3 illustrates a modification of the connector which may be used in conjunction with this invention to replace the connectorlZ illustrated in Figure 2. In this modification the connector is in the form of a nipple 30, externally threaded at each end and having a bore 3| extending therethrough. .A push-pin 32 of smaller diameter than the bore extends there-.

through and is positioned {with respect to the bore by a pair of squareguides 33 and 34. An annular passageway 35 provides communication between regulator H and coupling member i3.

when assembled. Push-pin 32 serves to actuate valve 20 to control the rate of gas withdrawal from container and may, in turn, be actuated by the regulator II. An internally beveled portion 36 is designed to cooperate with washer 21 to form a gas tight seal.

In operation, the connector I2, is screwed tightly into regulator II and forms a part of the customers service equipment. When it is desired to connect a container to the customers service line, the connector is inserted into coupling member l3 on the container. Coupling member i3 is then rotated to engage the threads of the connector. Rotation of the coupling member forces the tapered portion of the connector into sealing engagement with washer 2! and opens valve 20, thus establishing communication between the container and the pressure regulator. Gas from the container may then be withdrawn through pressure regulator ll, flexible tube l0, and conduit 8 to the customers appliances as needed. To prevent escape of gas to the atmosphere at the time the connection is being made, the connector is so constructed that a gas'tight seal is established between the connector and washer 21 before the connector has advanced far enough to open valve 20. 4

rigidly to the plug body,

A plug 40 of the type illustrated by Figure 4 is provided to protect the container valve from injury and dirt during transportation and storage. Plug 40 has an externally screw threaded portion 4| for engagement with the screw threads of connector l3, s. handwheel portion 42 for I screwing the plug into the connector, and a tapered portion 43 to engage washer 21 in sealing relationship. It will be noted that coupling memacts as a protector for valve 20 at all a resilient gasket retained concentrically at the outer end of said bore, a tubular connector nipple in removable. communicating relationship with said bore, a "surface on said nipple adapted to seat tightly against said gasket and thereby form a seal, means within said nipple adapted to engage and open said valve, threaded means to engage the nipple so as to first form said seal then open said valve and finally secure the nipple said threaded means being in rotatable and no -removable relationship with said plug body. I

2. In a dispensing system for'liquefied fuel gas comprising a container for fuel, a pressure regulator connected thereto and feeding a service line, the combination of a tap member in a wall of said container, an opening in the tap member for delivery of the tank contents, a valve normally closing said opening, a tubular connector mounted in the inlet of said regulator, a couplingmember swivelly mounted to said tap member and adapted to secure the connector thereto, resilient sealing means interposed between the adjacent ends of said connector and said plug member, means within said connector to open the valve after the connector has made sealing contact with said sealing means so that discharge of the container contents will occur only through the connector.

KENNETH'W. RUGH 

